Koul's eyes locked intently on his brother as he asked.
"Why?"
"Why let you represent me when you, brother, had never cared about me?"
Yes, confusion! Only a while ago did I say my brother loves me dearly, yet now, I'm saying he doesn't even care about me.
This will at least put their minds in a turmoil as they struggle to comprehend me.
Koul's brother stared back with semi wide open eyes, in confusion just as Koul wanted. And so did the elders.
"Brother, why feign worry for me now when you've never genuinely did that before? I understand that I had instructed no one to visit me while in seclusion but I don't think I would've beheaded you if you paid me a visit, would I?"
Or would I? Since I'm new here, I don't really know what and what not the real Koul was capable of.
Even I'm confused with all these but it serves me better as they're also confused and won't be able to really understand the depth of my words.
"That, brother, it's… it's because your orders are absolute and I dare not go against your words," he brother replied, deflecting Koul's verbal attack.
Oh?
"I respect you so much brother that I couldn't dare carry your words with so little effort."
"That's true, your majesty," an elder chipped in.
"The young master respects you so much and always saw to it that your words carry the most weight to him."
So this is the way they're going, eh? Using my way of attack back at me.
"Even so brother," Koul's head dipped, his eyes carrying feigned pain.
"I had hoped you'd come check on me at least once."
Met with this, his brother and the elders could only awkwardly lower their gazes, unaware what to say to counter.
Koul's eyes gently drifted around them, a faint smirk growing on his lips.
"But as brother said, a king's orders are absolute and should never be disobeyed," he smiled widely, cranking up the corners of his eyes like it really reached his heart.
"Yes, ahaha. I'm glad brother understands," his brother laughed, his whole demeanor turning bright.
"Then," Koul's face turned stern back, eyes squinting with a hint of coldness.
"Brother should have no trouble obeying my words now, should he?"
The atmosphere turned dark again as fast as it cleared up.
The elders all glanced at themselves, surprised by the sudden turn of events.
Ever since Koul arrived, his countenance had been shifting unsteadily. This made it difficult for them to grasp his intention.
When his brother kept silent and didn't offer any response, Koul tilted his head toward him and asked again.
"Right, brother?" With a smile.
"Uh? Y-yeah… I was just… worried that—"
"Brother need not do such meaningless things," Koul cut in sharply with yet another feigned smile.
"Anyways," he said casually, dissolving the tense atmosphere.
"I will allow no one to represent me. I'm fine now and will be attending the event myself," he declared sternly.
"I will also welcome King Sestrus myself, so you don't have to worry about anything as I'll make sure no fights break out between us."
He paused, glancing between them all to see if anyone had anything to say.
"I guess this is everything for today," he said, rising from his chair.
Everyone rose along with him as an act of respect.
"You are all dismissed now."
"B-but, your majesty—"
Koul's eyes gleamed with restrained anger at the elder who dared try to protest, shutting him up instantly.
"My words should hold high over anything even if it means my death," he stated coldly, hinting that none should dare question his words or decisions.
"As you wish, your majesty."
They collectively bowed and turned to start heading out.
Koul turned to look at his brother and for a moment, he seemed still on his spot like he was deep in thoughts. But as he felt Koul's gaze, he instantly turned all smiley.
"Then brother, see you tomorrow at the event," he smiled and joined the elders in walking out.
As Yui, Koul's wife, moved to walk out, Koul's feet left the floor before even he could act and before he knew it, he had snapped toward her and grabbed her by the wrist to hold her back.
She flinched, surprised by Koul's abrupt touch. Koul's brother and some of the elders who were yet to fully leave also halted to process the situation.
But Koul threw them a stern glance which they immediately understood and continued their way out.
All except his brother who was too curious to walk away.
"Is brother perhaps interested in my wife now?" Koul asked, staring straight at him.
His brother said nothing for some moments, simply staring with a blank face.
"That can't be," he finally replied, voice cold with a hint of disgust beneath it.
This was a tone he'd never used ever since coming into Koul's presence. And it was a first to Koul himself, which surprised him and caused his body to react strangely.
"I will leave now," his brother smiled, tone now light with a smile.
Koul watched him leave silently, unable to form any words.
What was that? He wondered inwardly.
He wasn't worried by his response but how he said it. The tone beneath it felt like he was disgusted. Like being interested in Yui was an insult to him.
In a way, it was bringing Yui down. And Koul knew this, so did Yui.
But she said nothing and remained silent, like she had since the start of the meeting.
"Y-your majesty," she called lowly. Her voice was soft and calm but clear.
"My hand," she whispered, unable to even look straight at Koul.
"Oh, I…" Koul started.
'Can you come see me again later?' Is what I'd like to ask, but I can't possibly say that.
The system has forbidden me to involve myself with my wives unless they themselves willingly do.
Koul released her hand from his grip and stepped back.
"It's nothing. You may leave."
I hope she's able to read my face and know that there's something I'd like to tell her but I can't.
If she can, then I hope she comes find me herself.
I see no way I can complete this treacherous task if I don't build a relationship with her…. and... I don't think I can if I'm not even allowed to interact with them or even go see them.
"Then.. then I'll take my leave, your majesty," she bowed and hurried out.
She didn't even waste a second, Koul thought, watching her backside bounce away.
Sigh! The first task should be cleared now. After all, making it clear to them that my words should always stand is me showing them who is boss.
He made the task screen appear and below at a corner, the notification bell had a red dot on it.
Koul clicked on it and saw all the alerts about his rewards from this new task and the previous ones he had completed.
<
Reward: 100 points.
<
Reward: 200 points.
<
Reward: 70 points.
Total Points: 370.
This is not bad. Though I wonder if it'll be enough to get me out of penalties.
[Host,] the system called as Koul went through his profile screen.
"Speak."
[This king Sestrus, there's one more thing you should know about him.]
Koul tore his gaze away from the screen, finally giving his attention to the system.
[Your brother and the elders didn't tell you probably because they think you already know. But, you should know that King Sestrus can be quite vile.]
"So? Is that it?" Koul stared, feeling the system was just wasting his time.
[No. Be aware that one of your wives is being held hostage by King Sestrus,] it revealed, taking Koul aback.
[I wouldn't say as a hostage. More clearly, as a slave.]